Trees are great investments and beautiful additions to most yards, offering great benefits to your home and family. But like many things in your life, they really only work out and prosper when you plan for them and take the proper steps from the very beginning. If you take missteps in tree planting, you could end up with a dead tree long before you should.
Preparation
Before you buy a tree you need to plan, research, and prepare. Once you know where you want to put the tree (figure this out first), head out there and look up. If there are power lines, the odds are good that when the tree gets taller the power company will unceremoniously chop the top off, since they have right of way. If there are lines, choose a tree that won’t get any taller than 10 feet less than the height of the lines. Next, call to have underground utilities marked before you dig in the area. Once they are, check the soil and dig a hole to do a percolation test. Use a soil test kit to check the nutrient levels so you know what, if anything, you need to add to the soil for tree health. The percolation test involves filling the hole with water and seeing how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than a day, you need to de-compact the soil or the tree won’t thrive.
The Tree
Next, take time to choose the right tree. The tree needs to be a good fit for the size of the space (including height), the quality of the soil, and the region that you live in. You should also consider the qualities of tree that you want, such as providing great shade or being beautiful in the winter. Don’t cheap-out on the tree either. Buy a high-quality tree from a certified nursery or gardening center – after all, you want this purchase to last years if not decades.
Planting
Once you have a tree, take the time to dig a good hole. The hole should be twice as wide as the rootball but no deeper than from the bottom of the rootball to the top root. Place the tree and backfill with the soil you dug out and augment it as needed by adding it on top, not mixing it in. Don’t fertilize.
Followup
Once the tree is in, water it thoroughly, and stake the tree if needed. Add 2-3 inches of mulch over the planting area and make a plan to water about once a week. You want the soil to be moist but not sloppy as the tree adjusts to its new home.
Questions? Harford Tree is Here to Help
If you still have unanswered questions when it comes to common tree diseases, the trained professionals at Harford Tree are here to help. We have been in business for years now, and we regularly provide our customers with great work and quality customer service in Harford County, Baltimore, City, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White marsh, and middle River. For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business, more informative tips, and to see what we have been working on, follow us on Facebookand Twitter.